The British Invasion

British Airways non-stop, year round flights have taken wing

By Jennifer Gibson Schecter

If New Orleans food is leaving you bored and you are craving a bit of bubble and squeak, you can now board a plane at Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport and arrive at London Heathrow 14 hours later. But let’s be honest, more Brits will be giving up their leftovers to dine on turtle soup and fish meuniére amandine in New Orleans.

British Airways has begun its non-stop, year round service between London and New Orleans. The international flight will run four times each week, and increase to five times each week starting Oct. 30.

"I’m thrilled to see non-stop service to London coming to New Orleans for the first time,” said New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. "This new flight is a testament that our city is fully connected with the global community to help leverage both business and leisure opportunities.”

The new service opens access to destinations throughout Louisiana, not to mention the 130-plus cities in Europe and beyond that British Airways connects to via London Heathrow.

Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana Billy Nungesser said, "This first landing of a British Airways direct flight from London to New Orleans is a clear signal to travelers worldwide that New Orleans and Louisiana continue to be great travel destinations. While the number of British travelers to Louisiana has seen a steady increase, it is expected to increase even more with the addition of this direct, year-round service.”

Lt. Gov. Nungesser explained how the British Airways service is part of a larger goal to, “utilize this and other partnerships to see the number of international visitors to our state continue to rise as we market Louisiana as an exciting destination for international visitors to experience and explore.”

This is big win for New Orleans and Louisiana. The Mayor’s office, Greater New Orleans Inc. (GNO, Inc.), New Orleans Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Louisiana Board of International Commerce, and many other organizations have been working diligently to bring regular service from London back to New Orleans. Monday’s flight marked the first one in more than 30 years.

"The first direct flight between New Orleans and Europe since 1982 is a game changer for Greater New Orleans,” said Michael Hecht, president and CEO of GNO Inc. “It is impossible to overstate the benefit the British Airways nonstop to London will bring to our business, convention and tourism sectors – not to mention the new horizon it opens for our citizens.”

British Airways is operating a Boeing 787-800 Dreamliner for the service. One of the newest airplanes in its fleet, each of the Dreamliner’s 214 seats is equipped with widescreen TVs and state-of-the-art entertainment and communications systems. It is divided into three cabins with 154 seats in World Traveler (economy), 25 seats in World Traveler Plus (premium economy), and 35 seats in Club World (business). Complimentary meals, beverages and a free checked bag are included in the airfare. To see the Dreamliner land in New Orleans view the interior of the aircraft, view a video here.

Flights can be booked on ba.com. As of press time, roundtrip fares start at $899, including all taxes, fees and charges. Tickets need to be booked by April 16. Seats at the promotional price are available for select travel dates between June 7 and Sept. 18, and between Oct. 2 and Dec. 13.

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Tourism with Jennifer Schecter

About

Once a tourist in New Orleans herself, Jennifer Gibson Schecter is proud to call NOLA home. Prior to New Orleans, she wrote for publications in the Midwest and New York City. She advises travelers to ask their cab/pedicab/gondola driver where their favorite restaurant is and to eat there.